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Ashvala

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Ashvala (Sanskrit: अश्वल) was the chief Hotra Brahmin priest at the court of the King Janaka in Mithila.[1][2][3] He was the authority at the Asvamedha Yajna organised by the king Janaka in which the Brahmins of the Kurus and Panchalas were invited.[4] He is mentioned in the texts Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and Satapatha Brahmana.[5][6]

Acharya
Ashvala
Personal
ReligionSanatana Hinduism
ChildrenKausalya
RegionMithila region
Main interest(s)Vedas
Alma materAncient Mithila University
Known forDebate with the sage Yajnavalkya
OccupationChief Priest
Chief Hotra Brahmin priest at the Court of King Janaka in Mithila

Description

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Ashvala was one of the eight Brahmins who took part in the Shastrartha against the sage Yajnavalkya in the Bahu Yajna organised by the king Janaka at his court. He was the first Brahmin to question the sage Yajnavalkya in the Shastrartha. In the Shastrartha, Yajnavalkya answered all the questions asked by Ashvala.[6]

According to the text Prashnopanishad, the name of the son of Ashvala was Kausalya. He was the disciple of the sage Pippalada.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Bhushan, Sasanka (1975). Ancient India: A Chronological Study, 1500-400 B.C. Institute of Chronology. p. 9.
  2. ^ Sinha, Ashok K. (2013-07-25). Glimpse of Scriptures of Religions of Indian Origin: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 978-1-4836-6309-8.
  3. ^ Chaitanya (Yati), Nitya (1994). Brhadaranyaka Upanisad. D.K. Printworld. p. 300. ISBN 978-81-246-0007-8.
  4. ^ "Upanishads". upanishads.org.in. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  5. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2018-06-11). "Asvala, Ashvala, Aśvala: 6 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  6. ^ a b www.wisdomlib.org (2015-02-23). "Yajnavalkya and Asvala [Section I]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  7. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2014-01-30). "Prashnopanishad, Prashna Upanishad, Praśnopaniṣad, Prashna-upanishad: 6 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2024-10-23.